Elizabeth Martin

After completing my Part 1 degree at Birmingham City University I spent a short time working in retail. During this time I sent my CV to a number of architecture firms in the area. Most of the responses were the same – no opportunities for graduates.

I did however get an interview with Osbornes Chartered Architects, who I have been working with since January 2011. Although this has been a relatively short time this practice has been very accommodating. In the first week I was given a small project of designing new gates for the office. Within the first month I had been working on projects for the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds!

Generally I help my colleagues with whatever bits of work need doing on their projects. One of the main projects in the office is Hornby Cottage, a grade 1 listed building, for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust which houses a shop and offices. The project includes conservation and extension work to the building and my role has been surveying the site, drawing up elevations and making a CAD model of the existing and proposed building.

Another major project is The Valley Hotel in Ironbridge where we are creating a modern 27 bedroom extension to the hotel. I have been involved in helping to find precedents, taking part in design discussions, looking at suitable materials and creating 3D physical and CAD models. I have also attended a meeting with the planners and the clients.

I feel very lucky to have found such a friendly practice, especially knowing how few graduates have found paid work. I hope to continue working at Osbornes when I return to my studies; after learning so much in such a short space of time I feel this will benefit me the most.

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